The Ascended King: Submit to Jesus' Heavenly Rule

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Reigns as King Now, Not Just in the Future

The resurrection and ascension confirm Jesus’ present authority over all creation. His kingdom is not a distant hope but a present reality, reigning over spiritual forces and inviting our surrender. Though earthly kingdoms rise and fall, Christ’s rule remains unshaken, calling us to align our lives with His eternal purposes. [47:05]

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14, NIV)

Reflection: What area of your life feels most resistant to acknowledging Jesus’ present kingship? How might embracing His authority today reshape your choices or priorities this week?

Day 2: The Ascension Declares Christ’s Sovereign Authority

Jesus’ bodily ascension was a coronation, not a departure. By rising to the Father’s right hand, He demonstrated His divine right to rule all creation. This cosmic reality invites awe and trust—the same King who walked with disciples now governs history. Our doubts dissolve in the light of His enthroned glory. [44:46]

“When [Jesus] had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:50-53, NIV)

Reflection: How might viewing Jesus’ ascension as an ongoing reign rather than a past event change the way you approach challenges or uncertainties?

Day 3: Living in the “Already” and “Not Yet” of God’s Kingdom

Christ’s victory over sin and evil powers is complete, yet His kingdom unfolds gradually. We wrestle with earthly brokenness while standing firm in spiritual triumph. This tension calls for perseverance—trusting what’s secured in heaven while laboring for its manifestation on earth. [56:35]

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, [God] made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15, NIV)

Reflection: Where do you need to claim Christ’s “already” victory today, even as you wait for the “not yet” of His full restoration?

Day 4: Submitting to the King Who Shares His Throne

Jesus’ authority isn’t oppressive—He invites believers to reign with Him. Surrender to His lordship becomes the path to true freedom. As we yield our will, He transforms us into ambassadors of a kingdom where mercy and justice embrace. [53:45]

“Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.” (1 Peter 3:22, NLT)

Reflection: What specific area of self-rule have you been clinging to that Jesus is asking you to surrender to His loving authority?

Day 5: Proclaiming the Kingdom in Word and Deed

The ascended King commissions us to manifest His reign through gospel witness and Christlike service. Every act of love, truth, and justice plants seeds of the coming kingdom. Our mission flows from allegiance to the One who conquered death. [01:02:10]

“There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent. You are witnesses of all these things.” (Luke 24:47-48, NLT)

Reflection: What person, relationship, or sphere of influence is God calling you to intentionally reflect His kingship this week—and what practical step will you take?

Sermon Summary

Jesus rose from the dead, appeared repeatedly to his followers, and ascended into heaven to take his throne as king over the cosmos. The resurrection provides more than proof of life after death; it authenticates Jesus’ identity and mission, validates the Old Testament witness to the Messiah, and inaugurates a spiritual reign that already exerts authority over angels and unseen powers. Post-resurrection appearances — from the empty tomb to the road to Emmaus and the gathered disciples — demonstrate both tangible bodily reality and a revelation that opens minds to see how Scripture points to him.

Ascension imagery — Jesus lifted on a cloud, blessing his followers as he went — functions as royal enthronement: he returns to the Father and sits at the place of honor, exercising sovereign rule. Scripture portrays this as a present reality: heavenly rulers and authorities accept his authority now, and the cross has publicly shamed and disarmed opposing powers. Yet the full consummation of his reign remains future; the new heaven and new earth and the full transformation of earthly structures await final fulfillment.

That tension frames Christian life: spiritually, believers already share in the victory and reign of Christ; practically, the world still resists his lordship. The church’s task flows from that dual reality. Followers are called to submit personally to Christ’s rule, allowing the reality of his heavenly reign to shape earthly habits and decisions, and to bear witness to the nations by proclaiming the gospel so others may bow the knee in faith. This mission is not coercive conquest but persistent proclamation and holy living, trusting that the Spirit empowers witnesses until Christ returns.

The Scriptures and the liturgical arc — resurrection, forty days of appearances, and ascension — establish both the assurance of present victory and the responsibility to labor for the kingdom’s earthly advance. The challenge posed to every heart centers on two questions: has Christ been acknowledged as king inwardly, and will life be ordered submissively to bring heaven’s reality into daily practice? The answer to those questions shapes the church’s posture in a world where spiritual victory is already secured but earthly transformation is still to come.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus reigns in present tense The resurrection and ascension place Jesus at the Father’s right hand with real authority now; spiritual powers already recognize his lordship. That reigning is not an abstract title but a present spiritual fact that secures the believer’s standing, defeats fear of unseen authorities, and grounds hope amid trials. This reign guarantees that spiritual outcomes have been decided even when earthly circumstances remain unsettled. [49:24]
2. Kingdom already, but not yet The kingdom exists in the heavenlies and in the hearts of those who trust Christ, yet its full expression across creation remains future. This tension prevents spiritual complacency and resists triumphalism: believers live as citizens of a coming reality while engaging present brokenness with patience and holiness. Holding both truths reshapes how suffering, sin, and cultural conflict are interpreted. [51:48]
3. Submit heart to royal rule Genuine faith issues in submission: acknowledging Jesus as king requires rearranging loyalties, choices, and daily rhythms under his authority. Submission is not mere duty but a formative practice that allows heaven’s realities to shape earthly conduct, enabling the Lord’s Prayer petition — “your kingdom come” — to be embodied in personal holiness. Such obedience deepens trust in God’s wisdom over human representation. [63:05]
4. Proclaim kingdom through patient witness The advance of Christ’s rule happens primarily by proclamation and faithful witness, not by force or political domination. The mission invites persistent evangelism, sacrificial service, and lives shaped by truth so others can respond in faith and join the spiritual kingdom. This patient, truth-driven engagement trusts the Spirit to convert hearts across nations. [53:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:57] - Kings, Power, and Human History
[31:15] - Two Central Truths Introduced
[32:25] - Resurrection Appearances (Luke 24)
[39:05] - Emmaus: Scripture Revealed
[44:46] - Ascension and Royal Blessing
[50:01] - Spiritual Victory Declared
[51:48] - Already, But Not Yet Explained
[62:31] - Personal Questions of Submission
[64:55] - Prayer and Closing Exhortation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Luke 24:36-53 (ESV)
36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Observation Questions

What specific actions did Jesus take to prove his bodily resurrection to the disciples (Luke 24:39-43)?
How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus’ ascension being “on a cloud” (see Luke 24:51 and Acts 1:9-11)? [48:22]
According to the sermon, what does it mean that Jesus’ reign is a “present spiritual fact” even though earthly circumstances remain unsettled? [49:24]
What two responses did the disciples have after witnessing Jesus’ ascension (Luke 24:52-53)?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasized eating physical food (Luke 24:41-43) and showing his wounds (v. 39-40) after his resurrection? How does this connect to the sermon’s claim that his resurrection was a “tangible bodily reality”?
The sermon states that Jesus’ ascension imagery (e.g., clouds, blessing) functions as “royal enthronement.” How does this imagery align with Old Testament descriptions of God’s authority (e.g., Daniel 7:13-14)?
The phrase “already, but not yet” is used to describe Jesus’ kingdom. How does this tension shape the way believers interpret suffering or cultural conflict? [51:48]

Application Questions

The sermon asks, “Has Christ been acknowledged as king inwardly?” What practical step could you take this week to rearrange a daily habit or decision under his authority? [01:03:05]
In what area of your life (e.g., relationships, work, fears) do you struggle to trust that Jesus’ spiritual victory is already secured? How might focusing on his present reign change your perspective?
The disciples were called to be witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection. What is one way you could intentionally share the reality of his kingship with someone this week—not through force, but through “persistent proclamation and holy living”? [53:14]
The sermon warns against demanding “representation” in how God rules (e.g., questioning his commands). Where have you been tempted to negotiate with God’s authority instead of submitting to it? What would surrender look like in that area? [30:35]
How can you remind yourself daily that Jesus’ reign is a present reality, even when earthly circumstances feel chaotic? Consider a tangible practice (e.g., prayer, Scripture, worship) to cultivate this awareness.

Sermon Clips

57s

#SubmitToJesus

“So the question then is, what ways will you submit yourself to the lordship of Jesus so that his kingdom can come about on earth as it is in heaven. And remember, I'm not talking about how are we going to make the world's the world's political systems Christian? I'm saying how are we going to bring how are we gonna submit ourselves to God in a way that brings about the salvation of every person who belongs in the kingdom of God. That's the war we're fighting. It's not with guns. It's with the truth and the light and the king.”

44s

#KingOfMyHeart

“Have you accepted Jesus as the spiritual king of your heart? And if no, will you? Alright? Now here's where it gets a little harder. It says, are you now maybe you said yes to the first question. Are you submitting yourself to Jesus' rule in order for him to bring about on earth what is true of you in heaven. Right? Because I mean, think about this, the Lord's Prayer. Right? It says, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

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